JP7255274B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art As conventional image forming apparatuses, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 to 5 are already known.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100000 discloses a printer that uses both an ink jet method and a toner flying method to adhere toner to a portion printed with ink, thereby forming a printed portion having unevenness on a recording medium.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 discloses a print control device that switches to an appropriate total amount regulation method in consideration of the influence of the total toner amount regulation on the surface effect.
In Patent Document 3, in order to reduce unevenness on a color image by a certain amount due to a difference in the total amount of color materials, a total amount of color materials equal to or closest to a target total amount of color materials is determined as the total amount of color materials for each pixel position. An image unevenness reduction device is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 discloses a canny image forming apparatus in which a color cartridge of a developing device containing a plurality of specific color toners and a monochrome cartridge containing a black toner in a plurality of developing devices replaceable with the color cartridge can be mounted. , discloses a color image forming apparatus that sequentially consumes toner in specific developing devices during image formation using a monochrome cartridge.
In Patent Document 5, a YMCK normal image is formed on the front side of the paper, convex portions are formed with clear toner on specific portions, and clear toner is adhered to the back side of the paper except for the specific portions. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus is disclosed that forms a concave portion on the back side of a sheet of paper.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-263004 (Embodiment of the Invention, FIG. 1) JP 2015-99543 A (Mode for carrying out the invention, FIG. 14) JP 2008-307845 A (Mode for carrying out the invention, FIG. 10) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-61342 (Mode for Carrying Out the Invention, FIG. 1) JP 2015-79135 A (Mode for carrying out the invention, FIG. 4)

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the usage ratio of the image forming agent by a plurality of image forming means when forming a thick embossed image with a total amount exceeding 100% of a single layer using the same type of image forming agent. To obtain a thick embossed image with a high feeling of unevenness compared to the case of adjusting substantially uniformly.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises a plurality of image forming means for forming, on a medium, a thick embossed image of a total amount exceeding a single layer with a tone scale of 100% using the same type of image forming agent; an instruction means for instructing to produce a thick embossed image with an arbitrary total amount of image forming agent equal to or less than the maximum total amount producible by the entire imaging means; adjusting means for adjusting the proportion of the image forming agent used by the image forming means, wherein the adjusting means is configured such that at least some of the image forming means used among the plurality of image forming means have the plurality of image forming means The usage ratio is adjusted by a first adjustment value larger than the average value that the means on average bears, and a difference from the first adjustment value less than the first adjustment value is predetermined for the remaining image forming means. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the usage ratio is adjusted with a second adjustment value that is greater than or equal to the set value.

The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment means selects , as the first adjustment value, a value equal to or greater than 90% of the single maximum total amount handled by the imaging means. It is an image forming apparatus characterized by:
The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the adjustment means selects a value equal to or less than 70% of the single maximum total amount that the imaging means bears as the second adjustment value. It is an image forming apparatus characterized by:
The invention according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the colored image forming means forms a colored image other than the thick engraving image on the surface of the medium using one or a plurality of colored image forming agents. An image forming apparatus comprising:
A fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the colored image forming means is replaceable with a plurality of image forming means for forming the thick engraving image. is.
The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment means controls all of the plurality of image forming means based on the instruction information of the thick engraving image instructed by the instruction means. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the minimum necessary number of image forming means to be used is selected from the plurality of image forming means under the condition that the image forming means is not required to be used.
The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the adjusting means can change the combination of image forming means to be selected when selecting the minimum number of image forming means. An image forming apparatus characterized by
The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment means can change the image forming means adjusted by the use ratio of the first adjustment value. forming device.
The invention according to claim 9 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thick-enhanced image is a thick-enhanced image on the medium where the image portion of the increased ratio adjusted by the use ratio of the first adjustment value is The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it is manufactured from the lower layer side of the.
The invention according to claim 10 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means performs the first adjustment for the image forming means whose image forming order of the thick engraving image to be transferred to the medium is late. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that adjustment is made according to the use ratio of values.
The invention according to claim 11 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thick-enhanced image is a thick-enhanced image on the medium , which is adjusted by the use ratio of the first adjustment value. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it is manufactured on the upper layer side of the .
The invention according to claim 12 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means performs the first adjustment for the image forming means in which the order of forming the thick engraving image to be transferred to the medium is earlier. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that adjustment is made according to the use ratio of values.
The invention according to claim 13 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting unit performs the first adjustment for the image forming unit having a large remaining amount of the image forming agent among the plurality of image forming units. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that adjustment is made according to the use ratio of values.

According to the first aspect of the invention , when forming a thick embossed image with a total amount exceeding 100% of a single layer using the same type of image forming agent, the use ratio of the image forming agent by a plurality of image forming means is substantially uniform. , it is possible to obtain a thick embossed image with a high unevenness feeling without setting the use ratio of the image forming means to the single maximum total amount.
According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to easily select the first adjustment value in order to obtain a thick embossed image with a high unevenness feeling without selecting the usage ratio of the image forming means as the single maximum total amount. .
According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to easily select the second adjustment value in order to obtain a thick embossed image with a high unevenness feeling without selecting the usage ratio of the image forming means as the single maximum total amount. .
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a thick embossed image can be formed on the surface of the medium in addition to the normal colored image.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus capable of forming a colored image can be used as an image forming apparatus capable of forming a thick engraving image.
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, a thick engraving image can be produced with the minimum necessary number of image forming means.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to evenly use an image forming agent for forming a thick embossed image for a plurality of image forming means.
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of consumption of the image forming agent for forming a thick embossed image for a plurality of image forming units.
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, compared to the case where a halftone image is formed in the lower layer of the medium, the unevenness of the thick embossed image can be enhanced.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to expose the reproduction of halftone image halftone dots when producing a thick embossed image.
According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, compared to the case where a halftone image is formed on the upper layer of the medium, it is possible to express the unevenness of the thick embossed image while hiding the reproduction of the halftone image mesh.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to hide the reproduction of halftone image halftone dots as much as possible when producing a thick embossed image.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to make it easier to match the exchange times of the image forming materials of the plurality of image forming means.

(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and (b) is an explanation showing an example of a thick engraving image produced using the image forming apparatus shown in (a). It is a diagram. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of an image output device (IOT1, IOT2) shown in FIG. 2; FIG. (a) schematically shows an image forming engine included in the image forming unit of IOT1, and (b) schematically shows an image forming engine included in the image forming unit of IOT2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control system of IOT2. 4 is a flow chart showing an image forming sequence by the server of the image forming apparatus shown in Embodiment 1; 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an image forming assumption for forming a general color image and a special color image in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an imaging sequence of a thick film image, which is an example of a spot color image; FIG. 5 is a characteristic explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the input image density Cin of the image forming engine with clear toner CL and the toner amount TMA per unit area; (a) is an explanatory view showing configuration example 1 of the thick engraving image according to the present embodiment, (b) is an explanatory view showing configuration example 2 of the thick enforcing image, and (c) is an explanatory view showing configuration example 2 of the thick enforcing image according to the comparative embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing an example of composition. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of output sharing of each image forming engine when forming a thick-enhanced image in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of output sharing of each image forming engine when creating a thick engraving image; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3;

[Outline of Embodiment] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
In the figure, as a first representative mode of the image forming apparatus, a thick embossed image Gt of a total amount exceeding a single layer with a gradation scale of 100% is formed on a medium S using the same type of image forming agent _TCL . A plurality of image forming means 1 (1a to 1c in this example) to be produced and a thick engraving image Gt of an arbitrary total amount of image forming agent equal to or less than the maximum total amount that can be produced by the entirety of the plurality of image forming means 1 (1a to 1c) Instruction means 2 for instructing to create, and adjustment for adjusting the usage ratio of the image forming agent by the image forming means 1 (1a to 1c) to be used when creating the thick engraving image Gt instructed by the instruction means 2. means 3, and the adjusting means 3 is a single unit used by at least a part (for example, 1a, 1b) of the image forming means 1 used among the plurality of image forming means 1 (1a to 1c). The usage ratio is adjusted according to the maximum total amount, and the remaining image forming means 1 (1c) includes those that adjust the usage ratio below the single maximum total amount.
In FIG. 1(a), reference numeral 5 denotes image holding means for holding and conveying the aforementioned thick engraving image Gt, reference numeral 6 denotes transfer means for transferring the thick engraving image Gt on the image holding means 5 to the medium S, Reference numeral 7 indicates fixing means for fixing the thick embossed image Gt transferred onto the medium S, respectively.

In such technical means, the same type of image forming agent _TCL may be appropriately selected, but a typical example is a transparent image forming agent (clear).
Further, the thick-enhanced image Gt means an image of a total amount exceeding a single layer with a gradation scale of 100% using the same kind of imaging agent _TCL .
Here, with respect to the thick-enhancement image Gt, an instruction to create the thick-enhancement image Gt is given based on the fact that there is an upper limit to the maximum total amount of the imaging agent that can be produced by the plurality of image forming means 1 (1a to 1c). As means 2, it is possible to specify an arbitrary amount of image forming agent layer that is equal to or less than the maximum total amount. The "instruction unit 2" referred to here may be one that the user arbitrarily instructs on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus.
Furthermore, as the adjusting means 3, at least a part of the image forming means 1 (1a to 1c) is not limited to the minimum necessary number, but includes a mode in which all the image forming means 1 (1a to 1c) are used. , the use ratio of the image forming agent _TCL is adjusted by the single maximum total amount, and the remaining use ratios are adjusted to less than that.

In the present embodiment, all of the plurality of image forming means 1 (1a to 1c) are used to form the thick embossed image Gt, and the image forming means 1 (1a, 1b) use the maximum total amount of the image forming agent T Assuming that the use ratio of _CL is adjusted and the use ratio of image forming agent _TCL is adjusted so that the image forming means 1 (1c) is less than the single maximum total amount, the image forming means 1 (1a, 1b) produces Assuming that the first thick engraving image portion formed by the image forming means 1 (1c) is Gh and the second thick enforcing image portion formed by the image forming means 1 (1c) is Gm, the thick enforcing image Gt held on the image holding means 5 is transferred After being transferred to the medium S in the transfer area by means 6 , it is transferred by fixing means 7 .
At this time, the thick enlargement image Gt on the medium S is obtained in a state in which the first thick enlargement image portion Gh and the second thick enlargement image portion Gm are laminated as shown in FIG. 1(b). In this state, since the first thick engraving image portion Gh is produced with the single maximum total amount of imaging agent _TCL , even if the first thick engraving image portion Gh is laminated, the local thickness It is possible to secure a sufficient thickness without fluctuation, and accordingly, a thick embossed image Gt with a high degree of unevenness can be obtained.

Further, as a second representative aspect of the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. is that at least some of the image forming means 1 (for example, 1a and 1b) used among the plurality of image forming means 1 (1a to 1c) have a larger number than the average value that the plurality of image forming means 1 bears on average. 1, and the remaining image forming means 1 (for example, 1c) is less than the first adjustment value and the difference from the first adjustment value is a predetermined value or more. For example, an adjustment value is used to adjust the usage ratio.
In this example, as a different aspect from claim 1, based on the use in an amount close to the maximum total amount of a single unit, at least a part (1a, 1b) is an average value that a plurality of image forming means 1 bears on average The usage rate can be adjusted by a first adjustment value larger than , and the remaining (1c) is set to a usage rate by a second adjustment value that is separated from the first adjustment value by a predetermined difference or more. If it is Here, the aspect of adjusting the usage ratio to a small difference is not preferable in that a locally high portion is likely to be generated compared to the case of adjusting the usage ratio with the second adjustment value with a difference greater than or equal to a predetermined value. .

Further, the first adjustment value and the second adjustment value are not only unique but also include multiple values. For example, the first adjustment value may be selected from a plurality of values equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and the second adjustment value is one for the image forming means 1 (1c) in this example. However, in the case of using a plurality of image forming means 1, a plurality of values below a predetermined threshold may be selected for the second adjustment value.
Thus, even in the second representative mode, in FIG. ) is Gh, and the second thick-thickness image portion produced by the imaging means 1 (1c) (in this example, the second adjustment value is used) is Gm, then the first thick-thickness image portion Since Gh is produced with image forming agent _TCL having a first adjustment value or more close to the single maximum total amount, even if the first thick engraving image portion Gh is laminated, it is accompanied by local thickness variations. It is possible to secure a sufficient thickness without the thickness, and accordingly, a thick embossed image Gt with a high degree of unevenness can be obtained.

In the second representative mode, the adjusting means 3 preferably selects a value of 90% or more of the single maximum total amount that the imaging means 1 bears as the first adjustment value. In this example, when selecting the first adjustment value, if a value that is 90% or more of the single maximum total amount of the image forming means 1 is selected, the image forming means 1 will bear the burden on average even if a plurality of these are laminated. Compared to the case where the average value (for example, 80%) is selected as the usage ratio, it is difficult to generate a locally high area.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the adjustment unit 3 selects a value that is 70% or less of the single maximum total amount that the imaging unit 1 is responsible for as the second adjustment value. In this example, when selecting the second adjustment value, if the difference from the first adjustment value is increased to some extent and the second adjustment value is selected, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a locally high point is generated. is valid.

Next, typical or preferred aspects of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.
As a representative mode of this type of image forming apparatus, one or a plurality of color image forming agents such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (YMCK) are applied to the surface of the medium S, as shown in FIG. An example is an embodiment having a colored image forming means 4 for forming a colored image other than the thick engraving image Gt using an image forming agent _TYMCK . This example is a mode in which a colored image other than the thick engraving image Gt can be produced.
Here, as a preferred aspect of the colored image forming means 4, there is an aspect in which it is replaceable with a plurality of image forming means 1 (1a to 1c) for forming the thick engraving image Gt. This example is a mode utilizing a mode in which the colored image forming means 4 is provided as an image forming apparatus for forming the thick engraving image Gt.

Moreover, as a preferable aspect of the adjustment means 3, the followings are mentioned.
(1) Under the condition that it is not necessary to use all of the plurality of imaging means 1 based on the instruction information of the thick engraving image Gt instructed by the instructing means 2, it is necessary to use only the plurality of imaging means 1. number of image forming means 1 are selected. This example is a mode in which the minimum necessary number of image forming means 1 is selected from the instruction information of the thick engraving image Gt.
(2) In selecting the minimum necessary number of image forming means 1, there is an aspect in which the combination of image forming means 1 to be selected can be changed. This example is a mode in which the minimum necessary number of image forming means 1 is selected and the combination thereof can be changed.
(3) A mode in which the image forming means 1 adjusted by the single maximum total amount or the use ratio of the first adjustment value can be changed. This example is a mode that makes it possible to change, for example, the image forming means 1 produced at the maximum total amount of a single unit or the usage ratio of the first adjustment value, for example, periodically, irregularly, or according to the remaining amount of consumption. .
(4) For the image forming unit 1 having a large remaining amount of image forming agent among the plurality of image forming units 1, adjustment may be made using the single maximum total amount or the use ratio of the first adjustment value. In this example, the amount of image forming agent _TCL consumed by a plurality of image forming units 1 is managed, and the image forming unit 1 with a large remaining amount of image forming agent _TCL is preferentially used.

Further, as a configuration example of the thick engraving image Gt, an image portion (corresponding to the first thick enforcing image portion Gh) adjusted by the single maximum total amount or the use ratio of the first adjustment value is increased on the medium S. A mode in which the layer is formed from the lower layer side of the thick engraving image Gt is exemplified. In this example, a relatively increased image portion (first thick engraving image portion Gh) is produced on the lower layer side of the thick engraving image Gt on the medium S, and the lamination state of each layer of the thick engraving image Gt is stabilized. .
In order to create the thick engraving image Gt of such a configuration example, the adjustment unit 3 sets the use ratio of the single maximum total amount or the first adjustment value to the imaging unit 1 arranged near the medium S. should be adjusted with . In this example, among the plurality of image forming means 1 for producing the thick engraving image Gt, the image forming means 1 arranged closer to the medium S (slower in the order of image formation) has a proportionately increased image portion (first thickness This is a mode for producing a raised image portion Gh).
Further, as another configuration example of the thick engraving image Gt, an image portion (first thick enforcing image portion Gh) adjusted by the use ratio of the single maximum total amount or the first adjustment value is on the medium S A mode in which it is produced on the upper layer side of the thick engraving image Gt is exemplified. In this example, a proportionally increased image portion (first thick-enhanced image portion Gh) is formed on the upper layer side of the thick-enhanced image Gt on the medium S, and the lower layer-side halftone image is not exposed on the surface.
In order to create the thick engraving image Gt of such a configuration example, the adjustment unit 3 sets the use ratio of the single maximum total amount or the first adjustment value to the imaging unit 1 arranged far from the medium S. should be adjusted with . In this example, among the plurality of image forming units 1 for producing the thick engraving image Gt, the image forming unit 1 arranged far from the medium S (first in the order of image formation) has a relatively increased image portion (first thickness This is a mode for producing a raised image portion Gh).

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
◎ Embodiment 1
-Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus-
FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus includes a client PC (abbreviation for Personal Computer) 100 installed as an example of an information processing apparatus, and two image output devices (IOT (abbreviation for Image Output Terminal) in FIG. 2). 1, IOT2) 111 and 112, and a server 130 that connects the client PC 100 and the two image output devices 111 and 112 via a network so as to be communicable.

-Client PC-
In this example, the client PC 100 has a computer main body equipped with a control device (not shown) consisting of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and input/output ports. , a keyboard and a mouse are connected as input means.
Then, in the client PC 100, the user selects an image to be output by the image output devices 111 and 112 (for example, an image composed of general colors of a plurality of general color components and a special color other than the general colors (hereinafter referred to as special colors)). A combined image with an image) is created, and these image data DT and paper information (size and type) as a medium for outputting the image are transmitted to the server 130 .

-Image output device-
In this example, the image output device 111 (corresponding to the IOT 1) is equipped with an image forming unit 21 for forming an image of general colors in the device housing 20, as shown in FIGS. A control device 121 comprising a microcomputer is provided for controlling each element including the forming unit 21 .
2 and 3, the image output device 112 (corresponding to the IOT 2) is equipped with an image forming unit 21 for forming an image of a special color in the device housing 20, and further includes an image forming engine 22. and a control device 122 for controlling each element.
In this example, an image composed of general colors refers to an image composed of, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) as a plurality of color components. An image made of a special color refers to an image using any of white, gold, silver, clear (CL) corresponding to transparency, and other original colors. refers to the thick engraving image Gt created by In this example, the image forming unit 21 of the image output device 112 (IOT2) may be one that forms a spot color image. Some of the imaging engines 22 may include those that form images consisting of general colors.
Configuration examples of the image output devices 111 and 112 will be described later.

-server-
In this example, the server 130 includes a control device 131 that controls the image output devices 111 and 112 based on information obtained from the client PC 100, as shown in FIG. In this example, the control device 131 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and an input/output port. ) is installed in advance, and by executing the image forming program on the CPU, the image forming conditions of the image output devices 111 and 112 are determined from the image data DT of general color + special color acquired from the client PC 100 and the paper information. is determined, and the image output device (IOT1) 111 is supplied with the general color image data DT1, and the image output device (IOT2) 112 is supplied with the special color image data DT2 at a predetermined timing.

-Each component of the image output device-
In the figure, since the image output devices 111 and 112 have substantially the same basic configuration, the image output device 111 will be mainly described as an example here.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the basic configuration of the image output device 111 is such that the image forming unit 21 described above is mounted in the device housing 20. As the image forming unit 21, a plurality of color components (in this embodiment, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)), which is an image forming unit that forms an image of general colors. 22a to 22d), a belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 30 for sequentially transferring (primary transfer) and holding each color component image formed by each image forming engine 22, and each color component image transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 30. onto a sheet (or film) S (see FIG. 4) as a medium, and a secondary transfer device (batch transfer device) 50 for transferring (secondary transfer) the secondarily transferred image to the paper. A fixing device 70 for fixing onto the S and a paper transport system 80 for transporting the paper S to the secondary transfer area are provided.
The basic configuration of the image output device 112 differs from that of the image output device 111, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B. In addition, the image forming engine 22 (22h) forms an image in black (K), which is a general color.
For example, a touch-type operation panel 40 is installed on the upper part of the device housing 20 of the image output devices 111 and 112, and various operations can be performed on the image output devices 111 and 112 on this operation panel 40. It has become.

- Imaging engine -
In this embodiment, each of the image forming engines 22 (22a to 22d) has a drum-shaped photoreceptor 23, and around each photoreceptor 23 is a corotron or transfer roll for charging the photoreceptor 23. , an exposure device 25 such as a laser scanning device for writing an electrostatic latent image on the charged photoreceptor 23, and an electrostatic latent image written on the photoreceptor 23 by YMCK color component toners. A developing device 26 for development, a primary transfer device 27 such as a transfer roll for transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor 23 to an intermediate transfer member 30, and a photoreceptor cleaning device 28 for removing residual toner on the photoreceptor 23 are respectively provided. It is arranged.
Each developing device 26 of the image forming engine 22 (22e to 22h) of the image output device 112 is developed using clear (CL), clear (CL), clear (CL), and black (K) color component toners. It has become so.
The intermediate transfer member 30 is stretched over a plurality of (three in this embodiment) tension rolls 31 to 33. For example, the tension roll 31 is a drive roll driven by a drive motor (not shown). , and is adapted to circulate on the drive roll. Further, an intermediate transfer member cleaning device 35 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 30 after secondary transfer is provided between the tension rolls 31 and 33 .

-Secondary transfer device (batch transfer device)-
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the secondary transfer device (batch transfer device) 50 places a transfer roll 55 in pressure contact with a portion of the intermediate transfer body 30 facing the tension roll 33, and stretches the intermediate transfer body 30. The support roll 33 is used as a counter roll 56 forming a counter electrode of the transfer roll 55 . Here, in this example, the transfer roll 55 has a structure in which an elastic layer made of foamed urethane rubber or EPDM mixed with carbon black or the like is coated around a metal shaft. The nip region of the intermediate transfer body 30 sandwiched therebetween functions as a secondary transfer region (collective transfer region) TR.
Furthermore, a transfer voltage from a transfer power source (not shown) is applied to the opposing roll 56 (also used as the tension roll 33 in this example) via a conductive power supply roll (not shown). A predetermined transfer electric field is formed between the roll 55 and the opposing roll 56 .
In this example, the secondary transfer device 50 is configured such that the transfer roll 55 is pressed against the intermediate transfer member 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transfer roll 55 is used as one of the tension rolls to form a transfer belt. It is of course possible to use a belt transfer module or the like that stretches between tension rolls.

- Fixing device -
As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing device 70 is arranged in pressure contact with a rotatable heat fixing roll 71 which is arranged in contact with the image holding surface of the paper S, and is arranged in pressure contact with the heat fixing roll 71. It has a pressure fixing roll 72 that rotates following the fixing roll 71, passes the image held on the sheet S through the fixing area between the fixing rolls 71 and 72, and heats and presses to fix the image. It is.
Here, the heating fixing roll 71 is designed to heat the roll body, for example, by incorporating a heater in the roll body or by bringing an external heater into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roll body. Of course, a heater may be added to 72 as required. Although this example shows an example of the configuration of a pair of rolls, it is not limited to this, and the heating and fixing roll 71 may be appropriately selected, for example, configured by a heating and fixing belt employing an electromagnetic induction heating system. .

-Paper transport system-
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper transport system 80 has a plurality of stages (two stages in this example) of paper supply containers 81 and 82, and the paper S supplied from either of the paper supply containers 81 and 82. from a vertical transport path 83 extending in a substantially vertical direction to a horizontal transport path 84 extending in a substantially horizontal direction to reach the secondary transfer area TR. Then, it reaches the fixing portion by the fixing device 70 and is discharged to the paper discharge receiver 86 provided on the side of the device housing 20 .
Further, the sheet conveying system 80 has a reversible branch conveying path 87 branching downward from a portion of the horizontal conveying path 84 located downstream of the fixing device 70 in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet S reversed in the path 87 is returned to the horizontal transportation path 84 again from the vertical transportation path 83 through the return transportation path 88, the image is transferred to the back surface of the paper S in the secondary transfer area TR, and the fixing device 70 is moved. After that, it is discharged to the paper discharge receptacle 86 .
Further, in the paper transport system 80, in addition to position alignment rolls 90 for aligning the position of the paper S and supplying it to the secondary transfer area TR, each transport path 83, 84, 87, 88 has an appropriate number of transport rolls 91. is provided. Furthermore, a manual paper supply device 92 capable of supplying manual paper toward the horizontal transport path 84 is provided on the opposite side of the paper discharge receiver 86 of the device housing 20 .

-Drive control system of image output device 112 (IOT2)-
FIG. 5 shows the drive control system of the image output device 112 (IOT2).
In the figure, a thick-enhancement indicator 150 is provided, for example, in the client PC 100 (see FIG. 2), and in this example, instructs when creating a thick-enhancement image Gt using clear (CL) toner. The thickening instruction signal is input to the control device 122 of the image output device 112 (IOT2) via the server 130 .
Then, when the control device 122 receives a thick-enhancement instruction signal from the server 130, it executes a thick-enhancement image creation program pre-installed in the ROM, and executes the thick-enhancement image creation sequence shown in FIG. It's like
Further, in this embodiment, the developing device 26 of each image forming engine 22 (22e to 22h) is detachably provided with a toner supply cartridge 160, and each toner supply cartridge 160 detects the remaining amount of toner. A detection signal of each remaining amount detector 161 is taken into the control device 122, and the control device 122 determines how much toner is remaining in each image forming engine 22 (22e to 22h). is recognizable. The method for detecting the remaining amount of toner is not limited to the method described above, and the amount of toner used after the toner supply cartridge 160 is installed may be measured by the driving rotation speed of the developing roll of the developing device 26. Therefore, it may be selected as appropriate, such as indirectly detecting the remaining amount of toner.

- Imaging sequence by server -
Next, an image forming sequence by the server 130 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the control device 131 of the server 130 first acquires the image data DT from the client PC 100, it checks whether or not there is an instruction for thickening. It decides to form an image by adding an image, and decides to form only a normal image when there is no thick engraving instruction.
After that, the control device 131 of the server 130 checks whether or not the obtained image data DT is "general color + special color (clear (CL) in this example)".
Then, if the image data DT is not "general color + special color", that is, if the image data DT is only the general color, the operation panel 40 of the image output device (IOT1) 111, which is a general color machine, is loaded with a sheet of paper. A set display is displayed, and image formation by the image output device 111 (image formation based on the general color image data DT1) is performed in a state in which the paper has been set.
In addition, when the image data DT is only for spot colors, a paper set display is displayed on the operation panel 40 of the image output device (IOT2) 112, which is a spot color machine, and the operation by the image output device 112 is performed in a state where the paper has been set. Image (image formation based on spot color image data DT2) is performed.
Further, when the image data DT is "general color + special color", the control device 131 of the server 130 displays a paper set display on the operation panel 40 of the image output device (IOT1) 111, which is a general color machine, and After the image is formed by the image output device 111 in a state where the setting is completed, the operation panel 40 of the image output device (IOT2) 112, which is a special color machine, indicates that the printed paper has been set by IOT1, and the paper is set. is completed, image formation is performed by the image output device 112 .

-Printing Process of Image Forming Apparatus-
As shown in FIG. 7, assuming that the client PC 100 has transmitted the image data DT, the presence or absence of the thick heaping instruction, and the paper information to the server 130 (see (1) in FIG. 7), the server 130 obtains from the client PC 100 Based on the information, for example, the printing order of "general color→special color" is selected for the image output devices (IOT1, IOT2) 111, 112, and first, the paper set display is displayed for the image output device (IOT1) 111, which is a general color machine. Then, the general color image data DT1 is transmitted (see (2) in FIG. 7).
Then, when image formation by the image output device (IOT1) 111, which is a general color machine, is completed, the printed paper S (general color image G1 is output) is transferred to the paper discharge receiver 86 of the image output device (IOT1) 111 (FIG. 3). (see (3) in FIG. 7).
Thereafter, the server 130 displays to the image output device (IOT2) 112, which is a special color machine, that the printed paper S should be set in, for example, the manual paper feeder 92 (see FIG. 3). is confirmed, and the printed paper S is set in the manual paper feeder 92 (see (4) in FIG. 7). The printed paper S containing the "general color image + special color image" is discharged to the paper discharge receiver 86 of the device (IOT2) 112 (see (5) in FIG. 7).
Note that the special color image here refers to an image made of clear (CL) toner, but the special color image also includes an image made of clear (CL) toner, which is not the thick raised image Gt.

- Imaging sequence of thick-enlarged image -
In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming sequence of the thick-enlarged image Gt is such that, when a thick-enhancement instruction is received from the thick-enhancement indicator 150, the thick-enhancement image Gt is obtained from the image data GT2 by the special color corresponding to the thick-enrichment image Gt. Obtain the total amount of clear (CL) toner required to create an image.
In the case of this example, since there are three image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) that create the thick engraving image Gt, for example, one image forming engine 22 requires the amount of toner required for a solid image with the input image density Cin=100%. is the maximum total amount of the image forming engine 22 alone (single maximum total amount), and since there are three of these, the total toner amount Tv for forming the thick embossed image Gt is 300% at maximum. Therefore, in this example, if there is an instruction that the total toner amount Tv to be produced is 300% or less, it is possible to produce the thick embossed image Gt.

- Selection of image creation engine -
Here, as a thick-enhancement instruction, when the total toner amount Tv to be produced is X, the controller 122 controls all or all of the image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) that are the minimum necessary for producing the thick-enhancement image Gt. Choose two.
In this example, since the single maximum total amount of each image forming engine 22 (22a to 22c) is 100%, when X>200%, all (three) image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) are selected. However, when 100%<X≦200%, two imaging engines 22 (any two of 22e to 22g) should be selected.

- Determining the Usage Ratio of the Imaging Engine -
Then, the control device 122 may determine the usage ratio of the image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) selected for producing the thick engraving image Gt, and form the thick engraving image Gt.
Here, as a determination method, there are (1) a mode of using the single maximum total amount of the imaging engine 22 and (2) a mode of using an amount close to the single maximum total amount of the imaging engine 22 .
<Determination method 1>
This is intended to maximize the development capability of the image forming engine 22. When the thick-enhancement instruction (produced toner total amount Tv) of the thick-enhancement image Gt is, for example, 240%, all (three ) are selected, and two of them are adjusted to a usage ratio of 100% of the single maximum total amount, and the remaining one is adjusted to a usage ratio of 40% of the single maximum total amount. It should be adjusted. Further, when the thick-enhancement instruction (total amount of produced toner Tv) of the thick-enhancement image Gt is, for example, 180%, two image forming engines 22 (any two of 22e to 22g) are selected, and one of them is selected. is adjusted to a usage rate of 100% of the maximum single unit total amount, and the remaining one is adjusted to a usage rate of 80% of the single maximum total amount.
<Determination method 2>
This is intended to use an amount close to the single maximum total amount of the image forming engine 22. As shown in FIG. A first adjustment value A ₁ and a second adjustment value A ₂ are determined in advance based on the characteristics of , and the usage ratio is adjusted according to these adjustment values.
In general, the characteristic curve between the input image density Cin and the toner amount TMA per unit area differs depending on the type of toner, but in many cases, as shown in FIG. It is non-linear and shows an upward convex tendency when Cin is 50% or more. Therefore, when Cin is at a level close to 100% (for example, 90%), TMA is at a level close to 100%. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the average value (X/3) is calculated when all the image forming engines 22 are averaged proportionally, where X is the total toner amount Tv for forming the thick embossed image Gt. The first adjustment value _A1 is selected to be at least a value larger than the average value (X/3). The adjustment value A should be adjusted at a usage ratio of ₁ or more. At this time, as is clear from the characteristics shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable to set the first adjustment value _A1 to a range in which TMA at a level close to 100%, such as 90%, is targeted.
In addition, the second adjustment value _A2 is selected such that it is less than the first adjustment value _A1 and is separated from the first adjustment value _A1 by a predetermined value or more. The rest of the image forming engine 22 may be adjusted at a usage rate equal to or lower than the second adjustment value _A2 . At this time, as is clear from the characteristics shown in FIG. 9, when the difference between the first adjustment value _A1 and the second adjustment value _A2 is small, the difference in TMA becomes small, and the Cin level approaches. There is a concern that if the thick embossed image portions are superimposed on each other, a high portion may be easily formed locally. In order to avoid this, it is preferable to select the second adjustment value _A2 with a relatively large difference. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, if the first adjustment value _A1 is 90%, the second adjustment value _A2 is preferably set to 70% or less with a difference of 20% or more.

As a specific example of this method, when the thick-enhancement instruction (total amount of produced toner Tv) of the thick-enhancement image Gt is, for example, 240%, all (three) image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) are selected, and this Two of them may be adjusted to a usage ratio of 90% of the single maximum total amount, and the remaining one may be adjusted to a usage ratio of 60% of the single maximum total amount. Further, when the production instruction (total toner amount Tv to be produced) of the thick raised image Gt is, for example, 180%, two image forming engines 22 (arbitrary two of 22e to 22g) are selected, and the single maximum total amount of both is selected. The usage rate may be adjusted to 90%. Furthermore, when the thick-enhancement instruction (total amount of produced toner Tv) of the thick-enhancement image Gt is, for example, 150%, two image forming engines 22 (any two of 22e to 22g) are selected, and one of them is selected. is adjusted to a usage rate of 90% of the single maximum total amount, and the remaining one is adjusted to a usage rate of 60% of the single maximum total amount.
As an aspect in which the usage ratio is adjusted without considering the first adjustment value A ₁ and the second adjustment value A ₂ , when the thick-enhancement instruction (produced toner total amount Tv) of the thick-enhancement image Gt is 240%, for example, However, if the usage ratios of the three image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) are adjusted to 85, 85, and 70, the usage ratio is not equal to or higher than the first adjustment value, and is equal to or lower than the second adjustment value. , and when looking at the thick embossed image Gt, locally high portions were conspicuous.

-Exemplary composition of a thick-enlarged image-
As shown in FIG. 4(b), when creating the thick engraving image Gt, allocation of the usage ratio of the image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) may be appropriately selected, but it depends on the method of allocation. A difference in the quality of the thick engraving image Gt will be described.
(1) Configuration example 1 of thick engraving image Gt
In this example, as shown in FIG. 10( a ), the image portion (corresponding to the first thick embossed image portion Gh) adjusted by the use ratio of the single maximum total amount or the first adjustment value is increased by the paper S A second thick engraving image portion Gm is laminated on the first thick engraving image portion Gh, which is produced from the lower layer side of the upper thick engraving image Gt. In this example, the first thick engraving image portion Gh is laminated, but since the input image density Cin is high, both are stably laminated without local variations in height. , a thick embossed image Gt with a high unevenness can be obtained. In addition, in this example, since the second thick-enhanced image portion Gm is exposed on the surface of the thick-enhanced image Gt, it is possible to take advantage of the halftone image screen (mesh pattern).
Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. The image forming engine 22 (22e) that is the farthest from the transfer area may be used to form the second thick-enlarged image portion Gm.

(2) Configuration example 2 of thick engraving image Gt
In this example, as shown in FIG. A proportionally increased image portion (corresponding to the first thick engraving image portion Gh) is laminated on the image portion Gm. In this example, since the second thick engraving image portion Gm produced on the sheet S is covered with the first thick engraving image portion Gh, the second thick engraving image portion Gm (halftone image screen) is Hard to expose on the surface. Here, when the first thick-enhanced image portion Gh is laminated on the second thick-enhanced image portion Gm, the portion corresponding to the second thick-enhanced image portion Gm projects upward. Since the first thick engraving image portion Gh presses down from above, the projection amount Δm of the second thick engraving image portion Gm is small, and the screen of the halftone image formed by the second thick engraving image portion Gm is inconspicuous. As a result, a thick embossed image Gt with a high degree of unevenness in which the screen (mesh pattern) of the halftone image is inconspicuous can be obtained.
Further, in this example, as shown in FIG . The image forming engine 22 (22g) closest to the transfer area may be used to form the second thick engraving image portion Gm.

(3) Form of Comparison of Thick Enlargement Image Gt In this example, as shown in FIG. The usage ratios of the three image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) are equally divided into 80, 80, and 80. In the case of this example, since the thick engraving image portion Gx composed of a halftone image with Cin of 80% is laminated, there is a local height, and there is a concern that the surface properties of the thick engraving image Gt' may be impaired.

(4) Output Characteristics of Image Forming Engines In the present embodiment, among the image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g), the image forming engines for producing the first thick engraving image portion Gh are E ₂₁ and E ₂₂ , and the second 2 is represented by _E23 , and assuming that _E21 and _E22 output the single maximum total amount of 100%, as shown in FIG. It is understood that the outputs of the imaging engines _E21 and _E22 are larger than that of the imaging engine _E23 , and that they are set differently in obtaining the target output _QT .
In this regard, if the usage ratio of each of the image forming engines E21 to E23 is equally divided for the image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) according to the comparative embodiment, the target output Q _T It is understood that the output characteristics of the respective image forming engines E21 to E23 are set substantially equal in order to obtain .

- Combination change of imaging engine -
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 122 employs a configuration for monitoring the remaining amount of toner in the image forming engine 22 (22e to 22g) that creates the thick embossed image Gt. Therefore, in this example, when the image forming engine 22 that consumes the single maximum total amount or an amount close to the single maximum total amount is selected when creating the thick embossed image Gt, the image forming engine 22 with a large remaining amount of toner is selected. It is possible to choose. Therefore, it is possible to use the plurality of image forming engines 22 for forming the thick embossed image Gt while keeping the toner consumption amount substantially the same, and it is possible to easily match the exchange timing of the toner supply cartridge. .
In addition, as in configuration examples 1 and 2 of the thick enhancement image Gt, when the user requests to change the configuration example of the thick enhancement image Gt, an imaging engine that creates the thick enhancement image Gt according to the user's instruction. 22 (22e to 22g) may be controlled so as to appropriately change the usage ratio.

◎Embodiment 2
FIG. 12 shows the essential parts of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.
In the figure, the image forming apparatus has an image output device (IOT1) 111 as a general color machine on the front side and an image output device (IOT2) 112 as a special color machine on the rear side, and a relay conveying device between them. 113 is interposed to connect the paper transport paths of the image output devices 111 and 112, and furthermore, a paper supply device 110 is installed in front of the image output device (IOT1) 111, and a paper supply device 110 is installed in the rear of the image output device (IOT2) 112. A post-processing device (finisher) 114 is installed on the side.
The client PC 100 is communicatively connected to the image output devices (IOT1, IOT2), the paper supply device 110, the relay transport device 113 and the post-processing device 114 via the server 130. FIG.
In this example, the paper feeder 110 has a plurality of paper feeders 141 , some of which have a manual paper feeder 142 . Furthermore, the sheet feeding device 110 is provided with an operation section (including an input section and a display section) 143 .
Further, the basic configuration of the image output devices (IOT1, IOT2) 111, 112 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and an image forming unit 21 (image forming engine 22, intermediate transfer member 30, collective A transfer device 50) and a fixing device 70 for image fixing are mounted, and control devices 121 and 122 are provided, respectively.
Here, the control devices 121 and 122 may adopt the configuration of the first embodiment.
Further, the relay transport device 113 has a manual inserter 145 and a relay transport path 146 that connects the paper transport paths of the image output devices (IOT1, IOT2) 111 and 112 positioned in front and behind.
Further, the post-processing device 114 has a puncher 151 , an edge stitching device 152 , a saddle stitching device 153 and a sheet discharge receiver 154 , and further has a manual inserter 155 .

In this embodiment, paper is supplied from the paper feeder 141 and the manual paper feeder 142 of the paper feeder 110, and the image output device (IOT1) 111 as a general color machine, the relay transport device 113, and the special color machine are After passing through the image output device (IOT2) 112 and the post-processing device 114, the sheet is discharged to the paper discharge receiver 154. FIG.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, assuming that the server 130 has determined the printing order (image forming order) of "general color→special color", the paper supplied from the paper supply device 110 is used for image output by a general color machine. Image formation is performed by the device (IOT1) 111, and the first fixing process is performed by the fixing device . After that, the paper printed by the image output device (IOT1) 111 is guided to the image output device (IOT2) 112 as a special color machine through the relay conveying device 113, and the image formation by the image output device (IOT2) 112 is performed. Then, the fixing device 70 performs the second fixing process. After that, the sheet containing the “general color image+special color image” is discharged to the sheet discharge receiver 154 through the post-processing device 114 .
Thus, in the case of this example, in the case of the printing order (image forming order) of "general color→special color", the paper is automatically carried into the image output devices (IOT1, IOT2) 111, 112, Image formation and fixing processing are performed.

However, when the server 130 has the printing order (image forming order) of “special color→general color”, for example, image formation by the image output device (IOT1) 111 as a general color machine is not performed, and image output as a special color machine is performed. Image formation is performed by the device (IOT2) 112, and the paper supplied from the paper supply device 110 passes through the paper transportation path in the image output device (IOT1) 111 as a general color machine and reaches the relay transportation device. After being guided from 113 to an image output device (IOT2) 112 as a special color machine, the image is formed by the image output device (IOT2) 112 and discharged to a paper discharge receiver 154 via a post-processing device 114 .
Thereafter, the paper discharged to the paper discharge receiver 154, on which the special color image has been printed, is manually set in the paper supply device 110, and after image formation and fixing by the image output device (IOT1) 111 as a general color machine, it is relay-conveyed. The paper may be discharged to the paper discharge receiver 154 through the paper transport path of the device 113 , the image output device (IOT2) 112 and the post-processing device 114 .
In this case, the printed paper is manually transported, but it is of course possible to automatically transport the paper by a separately installed transport unit.

In the present embodiment, in the case of the printing order (image formation order) of "general color→special color", image formation and fixing processing are continuously performed by the image output devices (IOT1, IOT2) 111, 112. For example, temporary fixing may be performed by the fixing device 70 of the image output device (IOT1) 111 as a general color machine, and actual fixing may be performed by the fixing device 70 of the image output device (IOT2) 112 as a special color machine. In this example, it is possible to reduce the power required for the fixing device 70 compared to the case where both fixing devices 70 are used for final fixing.

Furthermore, in Embodiment 1 including this embodiment, two image output devices (IOT1, IOT2) 111 and 112 are installed, but for example, three or more image output devices may be connected. However, if you install the image output device as a general color machine on the first and third machines, and install the image output device as a special color machine on the second machine, "general color → special color" In the printing order (image formation order) of , the first and second units are operated continuously as a pair. If the eyes are continuously operated as a pair, it is possible to automatically perform the imaging process in series in any case.
In each embodiment, two image output devices (IOT1, IOT2) 111 and 112 are used, but the present invention is not limited to this. The units may be arranged in series, and fixing devices for fixing images formed by the respective image forming units may be mounted.

◎Embodiment 3
FIG. 13 shows the essential parts of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.
In the figure, the image forming apparatus has a plurality of color components (clear (CL), clear (CL), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) in the present embodiment) in the apparatus housing 20. , black (K)) image forming engines 22 (specifically, 22a to 22f), and a belt-shaped belt for sequentially transferring (primary transfer) and holding each color component image formed by each image forming engine 22. An intermediate transfer body 30, a secondary transfer device (batch transfer device) 50 that secondarily transfers (batch transfer) each color component image transferred on the intermediate transfer body 30 onto a sheet of paper as a medium, and the secondarily transferred image. and a paper transport system (not shown) for transporting the paper to the secondary transfer area.
In this example, an image forming engine 22 (22c to 22f) for general colors (YMCK) and an image forming engine 22 (22a, 22b) for special colors (CL, CL) are provided in the same device housing 20, In this example, two imaging engines 22 (22a, 22b) are used to create a thick-enhanced image.
Therefore, in this example, as in Embodiments 1 and 2, since the three image forming engines 22 (22e to 22g) are not used to create a thick engraving image, as in Embodiments 1 and 2, Although the thickness of the thick-enlarged image cannot be sufficiently ensured, since the imaging engine 22 that creates the thick-enhanced image is mounted in one apparatus housing 20, it is possible to create a feature like the thick-enhanced image with a simple configuration. It is possible to create an image with a general color image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 (1a to 1c)... Image forming means 2... Instructing means 3... Adjusting means 4... Color image forming means 5... Image holding means 6... Transfer means 7... Fixing means S... Medium Gt... Thick-enhanced image, Gh: First thick-enhanced image portion, Gm: Second thick-enhanced image portion

Claims (13)

a plurality of image forming means for forming, on a medium, a thick embossed image of a total amount exceeding a single layer with a tone scale of 100% using the same type of image forming agent;
an instruction means for instructing to form a thick embossed image with an arbitrary total amount of image forming agent equal to or less than the maximum total amount that can be produced by the plurality of image forming means;
adjusting means for adjusting the ratio of the image forming agent used by the image forming means to be used in forming the thick embossed image indicated by the indicating means;
with
The adjusting means adjusts the usage ratio of at least a part of the image forming means used among the plurality of image forming means with a first adjustment value larger than an average value of the plurality of image forming means. and for the remaining image forming means, the usage ratio is adjusted with a second adjustment value that is less than the first adjustment value and is separated from the first adjustment value by a predetermined value or more. image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the adjustment means selects a value equal to or greater than 90% of a single maximum total amount of the image forming means as the first adjustment value. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 ,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the adjustment means selects a value equal to or less than 70% of a single maximum total amount handled by the imaging means as the second adjustment value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a colored image forming means for forming a colored image other than said thick engraving image on the surface of said medium using one or a plurality of colored image forming agents. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 ,
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said colored image forming means is replaceable with a plurality of image forming means for forming said thick engraving image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
According to the instruction information of the thick engraving image instructed by the instructing means, the adjusting means needs to use only the plurality of image forming means under the condition that it is not necessary to use all of the plurality of image forming means. An image forming apparatus characterized by selecting a minimum number of image forming means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 ,
1. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting means is capable of changing a combination of image forming means to be selected when selecting a minimum necessary number of image forming means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment means is capable of changing the image forming means adjusted according to the use ratio of the first adjustment value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein , in the thick engraving image, an image portion of which the ratio is adjusted according to the usage ratio of the first adjustment value is formed from a lower layer side of the thick enforcing image on the medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the use ratio of the first adjustment value to the image forming means that forms the thick engraving image to be transferred onto the medium later . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thick engraving image is formed on the upper layer side of the thick engraving image on the medium with a proportion-increased image portion adjusted by the use ratio of the first adjustment value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the use ratio of the first adjustment value to the image forming means that forms the thick engraving image to be transferred onto the medium earlier . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting unit adjusts the image forming unit having a large remaining amount of the image forming agent among the plurality of image forming units with the use ratio of the first adjustment value.

Images